Anima Das Memorial Charitable Trust (ADMCT) and CanCare came forward with the gesture for around 100 cancer patients who are undergoing detection and treatment at the hospital.

The day started with a visit to the zoo where patients of various age dropping anchor in front of various animal and bird enclosures. The visitors expressed amazement at the sight of five purebred African lion cubs at their playful best. The younger patients in the group had a happy time watching the tricks of the monkeys.

After two hours or so at the zoo, the patients, who were accompanied by ADMCT and CanCare functionaries, trooped into the hospital where a piping hot meal awaited them.

The patients relished the fried rice, dal, salad, green vegetables, gulab jamun and ice-cream. ADMCT founder-cum chairman P.N. Das and CanCare members served the meal to the patients who blessed them.

ďWe, in association with CanCare, have been doing this for cancer patients for over five years. It is an effort to bring happiness to the lives of those suffering from this diseaseĒ, said Das.

Others who were present on the occasion included ADMCT trustees Vishu Satpathy, Firoz Khan and members Sukhlal Tudu and Ramesh Murmu.

Swarna Talwar, a prominent functionary of CanCare, other members as well as Nafiz Khan, medical officer of the hospital, also graced the occasion.

ADMCT actively supports the cause of leprosy-stricken people, old age home and several welfare schemes in the steel city. ďThe Trust was established for the welfare of the people,Ē added Das, a well-known decorator of the steel city.